Twins

Off for a routine appointment today at the Birth Center. I mention that I am feeling pretty tired and still sick when I get over tired. The midwife jokes "have we ruled out twins?" I laugh it off "no I am sure I have one baby in there. My blood pressure is perfect. Wonderful I know I will be out of here in 5 minutes. The student midwife measures my fundal height and looks a little confused. The next midwife measures and also looks somewhat bemused. "just hang on a minute I want to get another midwifes opinion.... Great I think something is wrong. " After the 3rd measurement I find out I am measuring 24/25 cm rather than 20 cm. I am 5 weeks bigger than I statistically should be.

I still feel sure there is one baby in there and express this. They have a feel around and don't " feel lots of arms and legs" which is promising but babies can hide and just to make sure they want me to get an ultrasound right away. I smile there I was thinking I wouldn't have an ultrasound this pregnancy and off I was going to get one! At this point I text Michael and mention I am having a scan for twins- He does not laugh but gulp!

I was little nervous waiting for the ultrasound but kept playing over in my head all the reasons why this was a normal one baby pregnancy. Within 10 seconds of the scan my beliefs were confirms- just one baby. A very healthy slightly larger milewski/alexander baby happy floating around in a healthy uterus. Not big enough to change out due date which was fortunate and the measuring 5 weeks over....... My placenta. The amazing organ which is to keep my baby alive and growing is located at the top slight left hand side of the uterus and hence is bulking up my measurements.

I would cope with twins but having one baby at a time is our ideal picture at this stage. Michael and I enjoyed a cafe lunch to celebrate our one healthy baby and discuss names...............

Spring time view from dining room

GeoTagged, [S37.78416, W144.99081]

The garden is alive! All our bareroot fruit trees have sprung into life. Although the deck is looking a little shabby the chook run and vegie patch are neat and productive. I wonder if I can convince Michael to do the sand pit this weekend?

19 Weeks Baby #3

19 Weeks down 21 (plus or minus 2) to go. I have jumped out of the starting block of term 3 with much vigour and enthusiam to be hastly reminded that I am pregnant. My recent go go go attitude has caught up and I feel a little sick again today. Either you get more tired with every subsequent pregnancy or my 32 year body doesn't have the go that my 26 and 28 year old body did the last times. I have taken a picture of my fast growing bump. I enjoy feeling the baby move around with much room and enthusiam. I have been checking our You Tube videos of birth and still get excited about birth number 3. I think natural drug free birth is as addictive as some drugs- althought I am not really willing to test this theory. We are having no scans this pregnancy which is a relief and feels like the right thing to do. I look forward to the children being with us and enjoying this journey through pregnancy and birth. They too have watched a few You Tube videos and wanted to compare human birth with the birth of a goat- not sure I should read too much into this :)

Back on the bike- well almost!

I hesitate to announce that it might finally be over (shhh the morning sickness) but I have managed to ride Matilda to school and back today and yesterday road to work and back on a new "big belly bike". It is lovely to ride again- although I do miss the road riding which will have to wait until April or May 2011. I will hopefully keep on the bike till the end- just will see how the balance hold up. It is great timing with the spring weather- it was even fun riding in the warm rain this afternoon. SO watch out Melbourne pregnant women on bike heading your way soon- oh what a sight!

After school

We are home from school. Felix and I enjoyed a spring afternoon riding along the Yarra River from school to home. We arrive and Felix annoces he needs some toast and like an expert gets the bread into the toaster. He is so excited when it pops and quickly butters and spreads vegemite on one and honey on the other. I smile as I hear the munching tune which means I am happy coming fom Felix as he sits at the table tucking into his afternoon tea. I think he might be ready to be a big brother again :)

Dancing

Matilda had her debute at the 45th Polonez Anniversary while Felix and Michael are at their 2 year at 17 year marks respectively. I find myself cringing when parents go on about how wonderful their children are but perhaps for once I might indulge. I actually had this warm gooey feeling of pride and thought that both Matilda and Felix were really cute on stage dancing. I will admit that I didn't watch anyone else when they were on stage :) Interestingly their motivation for dancing vary. Felix get extremley excited and nervous leading up to a concert. He loves to dance. He is very social and find the after polonez practice time very important. It is wonderful to see his confidence with senior as well as junior dancers back stage. Matilda does enjoy the social aspect too but it is not the dancing that motivates her, but rather the costumes and make-up. Dancing is just a nessasary part of the "dress up". I find myself being completely relaxed with the children both back stage and in the theatre. All our years of performacing supporting Michael, both in Oz and overseas has meant the children instinctively know when not to talk out load and keep quiet and are reliable and welcome backstage.